Almost 2 years ago, I attended the awards as a novice blogger under the blog 2GirlsandaWeekend.com I was invited by the phenomenal Jenn Lake. I first met her at the Jason Wu show and I approached her because she had this impeccable Oscar de la Renta skirt on. I just had to compliment her on her amazing fashion sense. Fast forward to a few months later, she invited me to the must-attend fashionable event of the year; The 59th Annual Gold Coast Fashion Awards.
The show took place in the grand ballroom of the Chicago Hilton and the room quickly filled with the who’s who of Chicago. While Chicago isn’t the fashion mecca quite yet, the Gold Coast Fashion Awards is THE fashion event to attend in Chicago. Hundreds of Chicago’s finest don their most fashionable wares while supporting a good cause; and of course, feasting their eyes on the latest fashions.
For over 60 years, millions of dollars have been raised for Lurie Children’s Hospital. This year’s 60th Anniversary Celebration raised $1.1 million which was the most funds raised in one night. As they say, helping kids is always in fashion.
In addition to philanthropy, there is also the huge fashion component that draws the fashion elite. Since the awards inception in 1956, hundreds of designers have been given the opportunity to have their designs presented to the fashion conscience audience of Chicago.
When designers present their collections at the Gold Coast Fashion Awards, this gives audience members a first look at the next big thing in fashion. In a way, we get to see designers before they become household names and it’s remarkable that Chicago gives them a platform of this magnitude.
While there have been many winners and a plethora of designers who started their careers with the awards, we are going to take a moment to focus on three individuals who have certainly left their mark in the world of fashion. They are the legendary Donna Karan, the classicly chic Pamella Roland, and the favorite among Hollywood A-listers Monique Lhuillier.
The impact of Donna Karan goes without saying. She has revolutionized the way women dress with her seven easy pieces. Celebrities as well as Chicagoans, love to wear Pamella Roland to all of the galas and soirées and the elegant yet fantastical designs of Monique Lhuillier has lead to her becoming both a bridal and red carpet favorite.
When Chicagoans first were introduced to these designers many years ago, I’m not sure we could have predicted the massive success that was to follow each of these dynamic women.
With this year, marking the 60th anniversary of the awards, I have asked these designers to reflect on the impact the Gold Coast Fashion Awards has had on their careers.
Without further ado, let’s have a conversation with 1988 winner Donna Karan, 2003 winner Pamella Roland, and the 2005 winner Monique Lhuillier
Donna Karan-1988
TCL: Hello Donna! Thanks for taking the time to chat with me and congrats on everything with Urban Zen and the new book! I’m sure a lot has happened since your win at the Gold Coast Fashion Awards. Can you give us an update on what’s going on with you lately?
DK: Where to begin? So incredibly much has happened to me in two decades, personally and professionally. For starters, I’m a grandmother many times over! I’ve written a memoir that was just released called My Journey which details the many twists and turns my life has taken. Professionally, the biggest change is I’ve recently stepped down from my position at DonnaKaran International to focus my attention on my foundation. Urban Zen is a marriage of philanthropy and commerce, as well as a design outlet for not only me with my Urban Zen label, but for artisans from around the world that we collaborate with.
TCL: You’ve certainly left your mark on the fashion industry and changed the way women dressed with your “seven easy pieces” Reflecting back on your many accolades, what has been your proudest achievement?
DK: My proudest achievement is that I’ve been able to dress and address my customer inside and out. I’ve accomplished what I set out to do when I first started: making dressing easier in the morning with a system of dressing that takes a woman day into night with sophistication and confidence. But I’ve also addressed the issues close to her heart, such as putting the care in health care, preserving culture, and bringing mind, body and spirit to education through my foundation Urban Zen. Along the way, I’ve had many remarkable moments in my career, including dressing President Clinton for his second inauguration after having previously dressed Mrs. Clinton while she was the First Lady. I’m hoping to dress the next President Clinton.
TCL: Thinking back to your presentation at the Gold Coast Fashion Awards, how would you say you have evolved since then?
DK: Like the title of my book, My Journey, the last 20 years have been a huge journey for me – spiritually, professionally and personally. I feel I’ve grown tremendously a person, one that is more aware of what’s going on in the world around her. As I say I work in New York, but I live in the world.
TCL: I think everyone has had those if I knew then what I know now moments. If you could tell your past self anything, what advice would you give Donna?
DK: Whatever you do, it has to come from your heart, not your mind. God gave me a gift – creativity – and I must use it to share and care for others. That is my mission.
TCL: For future designers vying for the coveted Gold Coast Fashion Awards, what advice would you give them?
DK: Don’t design for accolades or prizes – design what’s true to you and hopefully people will respond to that. I started my company to design for me and my friends. Little did I know I had so many friends out there!
TCL: The Gold Coast Fashion Awards has given a platform to hundreds of designers in its 60-year run. What impact has a platform like the Gold Coast Fashion Awards had on your career?
DK: When I received the Gold Coast Fashion Award it was only in the 3rd year of the company, so it was very validating and encouraged me to stay on the path.
TCL: Philanthropy is hugely important to the Gold Coast Fashion Awards with the proceeds benefitting the children of Lurie Children’s Hospital. How important is it to be philanthropic?
I’m at the point in my life where I can’t imagine not giving back. The concept of Urban Zen is built around the philanthropy and commerce, which includes our brand as well as our stores. I call it conscious consumerism, and I really believe a soulful economy is the way of the future. It’s exactly what you’re doing: raising funds and awareness to give back and make a difference. The percentage of all sales from the Urban Zen stores and website fund our Urban Zen Foundation. The Foundation is something that my late husband, Stephan, and I had talked about doing together. Unfortunately he passed away from cancer but the idea of Urban Zen became more important than ever. We recently started a collaboration with Parson School of Design to form D.O.T (Design, Organization and Training Center) for Haitian artists. I always wanted to start vocational education, because when you give someone a job, it’s like a fishing rod. It’s teaching them how to do it for themselves.
TCL: Any final remarks you would like to make to the Gold Coast Fashion Awards on their 60th anniversary?
DK: A warm congratulations from the bottom of my heart. You have made an enormous impact on so many lives in and out of the industry. You continue to use fashion as a vehicle to raise money and awareness while inviting us all to have fun in the process. The world needs more organizations like yours.
Pamella Roland-2003
TCL: Hello Pamella! It’s so nice to chat with you again and congrats on the gorgeous new collection. The show at The Whitney was absolutely phenomenal. I’m sure lots has happened since your win at the Gold Coast Fashion Awards. Can you give us an update on what’s going on with you and the Pamella Roland brand?
PR: So much has happened since winning the Gold Coast Award in 2003 and yet in many ways it feels like yesterday because it was such an impactful occasion for me as a designer. The award gave my young brand recognition which was crucial in making buyers and press take notice. We have steadily built upon that heightened visibility year after year and now have a strong foothold in the luxury segment as well as a rapidly increasing contemporary business.
TCL: You are certainly a favorite among the Hollywood elite with your designs becoming a staple on the red carpet. With all of your accomplishments, what has been your proudest achievement thus far?
PR: That is a difficult question to answer because every accomplishment has been a step forward for my brand creating the next opportunity. I will say, that creating my daughter Cassandra’s bridal gown and seeing her walk down the aisle just one week after our Spring 16 runway show held at the Whitney Museum, was a very proud moment as a mother and designer. She looked beautiful!
TCL: Looking back at your presentation at the Gold Coast Fashion Awards, how would you say you have evolved as a designer since then?
PR: As a designer you have to grow creatively and to do that requires taking risks. What I’ve learned over the years is that part of the creative process is making a mistake from time to time. I’ve grown to use those moments in becoming a better designer and entrepreneur and not get stuck in the past.
TCL: Everyone has had those if I knew then what I know now moments. If you could tell your past self anything, what advice would you give Pamella?
PR: I would sit with my past self over vodka cocktails, of course, and say “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”
TCL: For future designers vying for the coveted Gold Coast Fashion Award, what advice would you give them?
PR: I tell anyone interested in fashion that you have to be passionate and don’t give up. There is no magic formula so you have to find your own way to succeed.
TCL: The Gold Coast Fashion Awards has given a platform to hundreds of designers in its 60-year run. What impact has a platform like the Gold Coast Fashion Awards had on your career?
PR: The Gold Coast Award came very early in my career and truly allowed me to establish a strong business quickly. I remember hearing my name announced as the winner and feeling like I had just won an Academy Award!
TCL: Philanthropy is hugely important to the Gold Coast Fashion Awards with the proceeds benefitting the children of Lurie Children’s Hospital. How important is it to be philanthropic?
PR: Philanthropy is very important and has taught me that a group effort can make a great impact. Throughout my life I’ve had amazing experiences by supporting organizations that I am passionate about.
TCL: Any final remarks you would like to make to the Gold Coast Fashion Awards on their 60th anniversary?
PR: I would like to thank the Gold Coast Fashion Awards for giving me one of my first big moments as a designer and one that will always be special to me and my team.
Monique Lhuillier-2005
TCL: Hello Monique, Thanks for speaking with me and congrats on the gorgeous new collection. I’m sure a lot has happened since your win at the Gold Coast Fashion Awards. Can you give us an update on what’s going on with you and the MoniqueLhuillier brand?
ML: Yes, we have had quite the exciting year including the recent launch of footwear and handbags. As we approach our 20th anniversary we hope to expand our flagship stores internationally, starting with London and Hong Kong. We would also love to launch a signature fragrance.
TCL: You’ve dressed everyone from Reese Witherspoon to First Lady Michelle Obama. With such influential figures vying for your designs, what would you say has been a career highlight for you thus far?
ML: It’s been a true pleasure to continuously dress the First Lady Michelle Obama and I was thrilled to see that she recently wore a midnight blue guipure lace dress from my Fall 2015 collection for Pope Francis’ first visit to the United States. In addition, I loved seeing Taylor Swift in a red and blush sleeveless tea length dress from my Resort 2015 collection. Both women are different but are such important role models for young girls.
TCL: Reflecting back to your RTW presentation at the Gold Coast Fashion Awards, how would you say you have grown as a designer since then?
ML: I’m constantly evolving and pushing my design aesthetic by using new materials and proportions. I enjoy coming up with distinctive ways to make a woman feel beautiful, feminine and confident wearing my designs.
TCL: I’m sure your journey as a designer is a constant learning process. If you could tell your past self anything, what piece of advice would you give Monique?
ML: Always trust your gut instinct it’s always right!
TCL: For future designers vying for the coveted Gold Coast Fashion Awards, what advice would you give them?
ML: Stay true to your design aesthetic, it is important to have a point of view. Once you find your voice in design it is important to stick with it and deliver designs that entice the customer.
TCL: The Gold Coast Fashion Awards has given a platform to over hundreds of designers in its 60-year run. What impact has the Gold Coast Fashion Awards had on your career?
ML: I’m humbled and honored to be chosen as a recipient of the Gold Coast Fashion Awards and to be in such great company. The recognition of awards like the Gold Coast Fashion Awards allows me to continue to pursue my passion and push design boundaries and evolve as a brand.
TCL: Philanthropy is hugely important to the Gold Coast Fashion Awards with the proceeds benefitting the children of Lurie Children’s Hospital. How important is it to be philanthropic?
ML: Philanthropy is extremely important and working to help others, especially children, is something that is very close to my heart. Children are the future and we need to make sure that they are healthy and educated to keep our future bright. I truly believe that philanthropy is part of living a balanced life.
TCL: Any final remarks you would like to make to the Gold Coast Fashion Awards on their 60th anniversary?
ML: It’s a remarkable achievement to be celebrating 60 years of the Gold Coast Fashion Awards. I’m so proud to be a part of the history of the awards and can’t wait to see what they do for the next 60 years.
Huge thank you to Donna Karan, Pamella Roland and Monique Lhuillier for participating in this feature. Be sure to get to know them more on their websites.
And again Happy 60th anniversary to the Gold Coast Fashion Awards. Can’t wait to see who takes home the coveted prize next year
